Obtainable SE’s

It's too bad that the RazoRock Hawk is no longer "obtainable" as the value-for-money proposition is unbeatable.

But … speaking of the Blackland Vector, is there any word on when it will be available again? The website says that it's "currently sold out and will return soon".

In the summer

Which hemisphere?

There's v.2 of the Hawk. https://www.italianbarber.com/products/r...edge-razor I have the first version and it's superb. I hate to say it but it's as good as my ATT SE1 as far as the quality of the shave. 

My first SE razor was a Mongoose. I liked it. I didn't love it. Nothing in particular bothered me, though the head was not, as far as I remember, stainless steel. I sold it. 

A video from Chris Bailey/aka IAMCDB extolling the SE1 got the RAD up and running. I bought one on the bamboo handle. I like it. 

The funny thing about these razors is that their performance depends on the kind of blade far more than DE razors. I tried a KAI Captain in the SE1 and it felt like fire ants were feasting on my cheeks. That's a blade I've used in my Feather Artist Club without a problem. I put in a Feather Pro, that is, the standard Feather Artist Club blade and it was fine. A bit rough on the first shave or two then fine. So I tried a Feather Pro Guard. Presto! Shave perfection. The Pro Guard feels better in the SE1 than in my Artist Club. 

Your face is likely different. Mileage varies. 

Anyway, if I were going to buy one of these, I'd buy the Hawk as far as value for money. If I wanted a stainless razor, I'd go with the ATT. But that's because I've never tried Blackland's version. That's a great company and they make great razors. Although the Asylum version looks great, as I recall it's a little too pricey. 

There's v.2 of the Hawk. https://www.italianbarber.com/products/r...edge-razor 

Oh! That's the one I have (actually two, black and electric blue). Great razor, and I'm glad to see they're available again. 

"A bit rough on the first shave or two then fine. "

That's the thing about AC blades.  I strongly recommend palm stropping or corking a new AC blade to avoid any roughness or irritation on the first shave or two.  Don't use your face to strop the blade, use your palm or cork the blade.  Just my two cents, but it has worked beautifully for me.  I've never experienced any roughness on the first shave or two.  Worth trying.  If you have any questions about particulars, I'm glad to help or seek out Ruds's YT video on palm stropping.

Enjoy your shaves,

Jeff

I'm going to try corking. Thanks for the suggestion.

I’m surprised the Colonial General has not yet been mentioned. I have the stainless version, and like it very much. I also use an Asylum RX, ATT SE2, Ikon MR SE. I recently sold my Mongoose, as it was not getting much playing time. I use a guarded blade with the RX, a Feather Pro with the SE2, and Feather Pro Supers with the General and MR SE.

I guess Colonial General is not mentioned because it's not obtainable any more. On the other hand the v2 is coming out any time now.

I'm going to try corking. Thanks for the suggestion.

Don't, as it only speeds up the wearing away of the blade coating which is what actually causes the smoothness of a shave and not the sharpness/blade grind. Corking is an old habit for ancient carbon blades back in the "day".